Backcountry Basics

By: Billy Rankin

August 13, 2015

I am surprised to see how many people go into the backcountry ill-prepared - without any medical training, with little in their backpacks, or no pack at all. Flying 30 mph down single track on a bike, hiking in remote areas, or running shallow technical rivers are all serious endeavors that have risks associated with them. I have no problem with people taking risks but I really like to see people aware of the risks that they are taking, and even better, being well-prepared and self sufficient to deal with whatever comes their way. Sure you can get away with being lucky for a while and luck works most of the time, but if you stay at it long enough you will be involved in a backcountry incident or accident and this is when you need to be prepared for the worst. Too many people have the mindset that if something bad happens they will just look at their GPS, get on their cell phone or click the 911 button on their SPOT locator and a helicopter will drop in and whisk them away to safety. Technology does give us some great advantages in the world of risk management and emergency situations, but is it leading us to become more accepting of risk and to make less calculated decisions? Technology cannot take the place of proper training, trip planning, and good decision-making. The following are a few good tips before venturing out into the backcountry:

1. Pre-trip Planning (Make a Plan):

Do a little homework on the trip you are partaking on. Here are some questions to ask.

• Is it an appropriate level of difficulty for you and your group?

• What are the Hazards involved with the activity?

• How long will the trip take? What is an appropriate departure time and estimated return time?

• Are we well prepared to handle an injury, accident, or emergency?

• Is the group carrying appropriate Gear and equipment? (more on this below)

• Survival Gear. Can you spend an unplanned night out comfortably? Having the following really can make the difference: Matches, lighter, small stove, food, bivy sack, or emergency bag

*In 1998 I spent my first unplanned night out with an Outward Bound group on a clear cold night in Utah’s Canyonlands. I was ill prepared and spent the long cold night shivering and hungry without the ability to even start a fire. (There was tons of dry wood everywhere.) After that event I began to carry a small pre-packed stuff sack that had all my survival stuff in it. It always went into my backpack no matter what trip I was taking. The main things it had was an emergency blanket, lighter and fire starter, clean warm socks, 2 snickers bars (taped up so I was not tempted to eat them on a regular trip). This light, simple gear can make the difference between a comfortable night out vs. a miserable night suffering.

3. Get First Aid training:

Basic or advanced wilderness first aid training is essential for the avid backcountry enthusiast. It is comforting to travel with someone who can confidently provide care for you if you are injured or sick. It is important to have the tools to make a proper evacuation decision and the ability to evacuate someone by yourself. Though it is possible to get help from a search and rescue team or perhaps a helicopter evacuation is possible, it is best to plan on being self-sufficient. Helicopters are dangerous and crash often. Putting a 3-person heli-crew at high risk for a simple injury may not be an appropriate use of resources. Click here to read this recent story of a local flight for life helicopter that crashed.

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Billy Rankin

Snow Safety Director and Risk Manager has been an outdoor professional since 1992 when he arrived in Crested Butte with his focus on guiding and education. He began with Outward Bound in 1994 and has lead mountaineering, river, sea kayaking, and canyon courses in Colorado, Utah, Mexico, and Alaska. Billy was a forecaster for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center for 10 years. He worked for 10-years on the Crested Butte Professional Ski Patrol and previously worked as a Snowcat ski guide for Irwin Lodge. He is a certified level 3 Avalanche Practitioner, a certified AIARE Avalanche Instructor and teaches avalanche courses locally and for the Silverton Avalanche School. Billy is a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and teaches wilderness medicine for the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS. During the off seasons Billy may be found Heli-ski guiding for our operation in Iceland, playing in the Elk Mountains, kayaking through the Grand Canyon, and travelling the globe.
Specialties: Rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, mountaineering, cat skiing